Bronny James played 13 minutes across all four quarters to help the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Indiana Pacers 137-130. LeBron James told The Athletic that his son belongs in the NBA after the performance. Coach JJ Redick highlighted Bronny's athleticism and defense in the victory.
The Los Angeles Lakers improved to 47-26 with a 137-130 win over the Indiana Pacers, securing third place in the Western Conference with a 1.5-game lead over the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers hold the season tiebreaker thanks to Luka Dončić's game-winner earlier in the month. Facing backcourt shortages, coach JJ Redick turned to Bronny James, who logged his most playing time in over a month—13 minutes in all four quarters. Bronny finished with four points, one assist, two steals, and one block, helping the Lakers go plus-four during his court time. Late in the fourth quarter, he sank a 17-foot pull-up jumper that extended the lead to 15 points amid a Pacers run, a shot praised by Redick and Dončić as pivotal in settling the team. Redick called it a game where they 'really needed him,' noting Bronny's growth and labeling him the best performer in recent stay-ready games. 'His athleticism, his defense… we saw it last year, and we're seeing it again this year,' Redick said. LeBron James expressed immense pride to The Athletic. 'He belongs. He belongs,' LeBron said, adding that Bronny is back 'physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally.' The 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft marked his 60th appearance, averaging 2.2 points and one assist in seven minutes per game for his career. After a cardiac arrest in a USC workout and limited college play, Bronny entered the draft, was cleared medically, and debuted with LeBron on October 22, 2024, against the Minnesota Timberwolves—the first father-son duo in NBA history.
